WAIMEA — The Ishihara family has announced that it intends to sell the operating assets of Ishihara Market in Waimea to locally owned Kalama Beach Corporation, operator of one of the retail companies owned by the Sullivan family.
The transaction will be finalized later this summer, at which time the market will continue to operate as “Ishihara Market.”
“It has been a long road for all of us and the decision to sell was not an easy one,” said Guy Ishihara on behalf of the Ishihara family. “With inventory getting harder to purchase at competitive prices, we felt it was time to let go. Our main goal was to find a company with the same values that we have which is to serve the community and take care of its employees. Kalama Beach Corporation fit this mold perfectly.”
Ishihara Market was founded in 1934 by Shoko Ishihara who came to Hawaii in the 1900s to work as a field laborer for Kekaha Sugar. He married a picture bride and had two children, Masako and Charles.
His ventures in business first began when he sold meat from the back of a Model T truck to residents on the Westside of Kauai. In 1934, he opened a meat market in Kekaha with his son Charles at the corner of the Kekaha Sugar Mill on Kekaha Road. During World War II, the store moved to Waimea to the building which is now the Makaweli Poi Mill until 1953 when it moved to its present location.
Ishihara Market continued to grow over the years and Charles’ children — third generation Ray, Grace and Guy (and wife Shawn) — each later joined the family business after graduating from the University of Hawaii. In 1992, Hurricane Iniki ravaged Kauai and damaged the market, forcing the family to construct a new market.
The new Ishihara Market opened in 1996 with a much larger team of 25. Today, Ishihara Market employs 50 employees and is revered for its poke selection, ready-made-foods, family atmosphere and friendly service.
“The Ishihara family would like to thank the community, the vendors who supplied us, all the friends and family who supported us and, last but not least, our valued employees who have dedicated their lives to make Ishihara Market what it is today,” Guy Ishihara said. “We will always think of our employees as family and as we “hand off the baton,” we would like to say thank you very much. We love you and mahalo to all.”
Ishihara Market will continue to operate as “Ishihara Market” and no immediate changes are planned when the transition happens this summer. All current Ishihara Market employees have been encouraged to apply for employment with Kalama Beach Corporation. An employee rally and store blessing will be held when the store reopens under Kalama Beach Corporation.
“Ishihara Market has been an important part of life in Waimea, and we are committed to continuing its rich history of serving the community and taking care of its employees and customers,” said Vernon Ikebe, vice president of sales and operations for Kalama Beach Corporation. “We applaud the Ishihara family for all they have done for this community since opening their store more than 80 years ago, and we are honored that they have selected us to continue their great legacy.”
Ishihara Market is open daily at 9894 Kaumualii Highway.
Kalama Beach Corporation is one of three affiliated retail companies owned by the Sullivan family. Founded in 1970, the locally owned company operates Malama Market and other neighborhood grocery stores on the Big Island, Maui and Oahu.
The Sullivan Family of Companies, operators of Kalama Beach Corporation, Food Pantry, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Foodland, includes more than 150 retail stores including supermarkets, neighborhood markets, coffee shops, gift shops and apparel stores. The company has a rich history of innovation, service and retail management expertise that have helped it to grow and thrive over the last 70 years.
